John O'Neill (9 May 1943 – 9 August 1999) was an Australian representative rugby league prop whose club career was spent with South Sydney and Manly-Warringah during the 1960s and early 1970s.
Born in Griffith but reared in the northern town of Gunnedah, in his early twenties John O'Neill showed promise in appearances for Country against both City and the French tourists and was spotted by Sydney premiership talent scouts 1964.
His toughness and solidity earned him the nickname "Lurch", and in his debut season O'Neill played for South Sydney in the Grand final against the champion St George team.
There O'Neill played in two more premiership sides, and his battle with Cronulla strongman Cliff Watson in the brutal 1973 grand final (won by Manly 10–7) is regarded as one of the toughest conflicts seen in the Australian game.
During his playing days, O'Neill had developed a highly profitable building business with his Rabbitoh teammate Gary Stevens, which by 1977 would prevent him from devoting his attention fully to coaching.